SOLON

Abstract

This chapter presents a brief history of Solon. Younger than Epimenides, Solon was born at about 638 B.C. in Athens or in Salamis, and is known to display an active and enquiring mind during his old age. The evidence reveals that he devoted himself to versifying all his experiences and living by foreign trade at first. Some of his later poetical effusions contain profound reflections or sage advice. The historians believe that it was for his social and political wisdom and not for his poetical abilities or philosophical thoughts that he came to be ranked as one of the famous sages of Greece, for he gained Salamis for Athens by stratagem and in his struggles on behalf of the poor, he succeeded in introducing some very important political and social reforms. His wisdom, firmness, and integrity were recognized by all, but his reputation and influence was so enhanced by the visit of Epimenides of Crete that he was chosen Archon with unlimited powers.